Kirkman House
Encyclopedia
The Kirkman House has been listed on the American National Register of Historic Places
since December 1974.
The Kirkman House is an authentic example of the luxurious 1880s, a period of extensive growth for Walla Walla
in downtown business buildings and in fine homes. The Kirkman house is one of the Northwest’s most outstanding Victorian
structures. It was built by William Kirkman, who left Bolton
, England
in the middle of the 19th century and made money in cattle in the West. The family moved into the home in 1880, and it was home to three generations of Kirkmans before the family gave it to Whitman College
in 1919.
By the late 20th century the home, however, was in great disrepair and Walla Walla was in danger of losing it to deterioration. In 1977, the home was purchased by the Historical Architecture Development Corporation (H.A.D.). They were a group of concerned citizens of Walla Walla who came together to save the historic sites and buildings of this area. The organization used Kirkman House as an office, eventually purchasing it and restoring the home into a period house museum. In 1982, H.A.D. received an award for outstanding work in historic preservation from the Washington State Trust for Historic Preservation. Today the home is privately owned and operates as a non-profit organization
under the management of a revolving Board of Directors.
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
since December 1974.
The Kirkman House is an authentic example of the luxurious 1880s, a period of extensive growth for Walla Walla
Walla Walla, Washington
Walla Walla is the largest city in and the county seat of Walla Walla County, Washington, United States. The population was 31,731 at the 2010 census...
in downtown business buildings and in fine homes. The Kirkman house is one of the Northwest’s most outstanding Victorian
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
structures. It was built by William Kirkman, who left Bolton
Bolton
Bolton is a town in Greater Manchester, in the North West of England. Close to the West Pennine Moors, it is north west of the city of Manchester. Bolton is surrounded by several smaller towns and villages which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, of which Bolton is the...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in the middle of the 19th century and made money in cattle in the West. The family moved into the home in 1880, and it was home to three generations of Kirkmans before the family gave it to Whitman College
Whitman College
Whitman College is a private, co-educational, non-sectarian, residential undergraduate liberal arts college located in Walla Walla, Washington. Initially founded as a seminary by a territorial legislative charter in 1859, the school became a four year degree granting institution in 1883...
in 1919.
By the late 20th century the home, however, was in great disrepair and Walla Walla was in danger of losing it to deterioration. In 1977, the home was purchased by the Historical Architecture Development Corporation (H.A.D.). They were a group of concerned citizens of Walla Walla who came together to save the historic sites and buildings of this area. The organization used Kirkman House as an office, eventually purchasing it and restoring the home into a period house museum. In 1982, H.A.D. received an award for outstanding work in historic preservation from the Washington State Trust for Historic Preservation. Today the home is privately owned and operates as a non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
under the management of a revolving Board of Directors.